Environmental Print Walk
To develop understanding that print carries meaning through identifying familiar logos and signs in the environment.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Literacy
- Learning area: Literacy
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Identifies familiar logos
- Shows interest in environmental print
- Points to print purposefully
- Asks 'what does that say?'
Materials
- Clipboards
- Logo and sign photo cards
- Camera
- Environmental print display board
Instructions
Walk through the local area (or around the nursery building) looking for print: EXIT signs, road signs, shop logos, number plates. 'Can you see any writing? What does that sign say?'
When a child recognises a logo: 'You read that! It says Tesco! How did you know?' The child uses visual cues (colour, shape, logo design) — this IS reading, using contextual information.
Take photos of all the print you find. Back at nursery, create an 'Our Print Walk' display. Children match photos to logo cards.
Bring environmental print INTO the setting: empty cereal boxes, food packaging, junk mail, catalogues. These become reading materials: 'What does this box say? Weetabix!'
This activity establishes the foundational understanding that print is meaningful — it says something, and we can decode it. This motivation to decode drives later phonics engagement.
Create a class 'I Can Read' book with photos of print children have read: logos, signs, labels. Every child is a reader.